From the Valley of Vision: A devotional that daily challenges my soul to Love God, love His people, and Love his work.

A Minister’s preaching:

My Master, God,
I am desired to preach today, but go weak and needy to my task; Yet I long that people might be edified with divine truth, that an honest testimony might be borne for thee;
Give me assistance in preaching and prayer, with heart uplifted for grace and unction.
Present to my view things pertinent to my subject, with fullness of matter and clarity of thought, proper expressions, fluency, fervency, a feeling sense of the things I preach, and grace to apply them to men’s consciences.
Keep me conscious all the while of my defects and let me not gloat in pride over my performance.
Help me to offer testimony for thyself, and to leave sinners inexcusable in neglecting thy mercy.
Give me freed to open the sorrows of they people, and to set before them comforting considerations.
Attend with power the truth preached, and awaken the attention of my audience. May thy people be refreshed , melted, convicted, comforted, and help me to use the strongest arguments drawn from Christ’s incarnation and sufferings that men (and women) might be be made holy.
I myself need thy support, comfort, strength,holiness, that I might be a pure channel of thy grace, and be able to do something for thee; Give me then refreshment among they people, and help me not to treat excellent matter in a defective way, or bear a broken testimony to so worthy a redeemer, or be harsh in treating of Christ’s death, its design and end, from lack of warmth and fervency:
And keep me in tune with thee as I do this work.

From a devotional book of mine, which consists of puritan prayers, devotions, and challenges. It has greatly strengthened my heart. Pastor Mark